How much does a dental hygienist make?
a year · about $47 an hour
A typical dental hygienist in the United States makes $98,100 a year, about $47 an hour, about 1.9× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check a patient’s teeth and gums, clean away plaque and tartar, and may take X-rays or apply fluoride. They record what they find, report concerns to the dentist, and teach brushing and flossing.
Did you know? In the US, dental hygienists are allowed to give local anesthesia in every state, though state rules still shape how they practice.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $74,880 and $126,050How do you become one?
In the US, finish high school and complete an accredited dental-hygiene program, often an associate-degree course. Then pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and a state or regional clinical exam, and get a state license.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like helping and teaching and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience and credentials can affect a hygienist’s pay, and pay also varies by workplace and location. Many dental hygienists work part time, so the number of days or hours worked changes yearly earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alaska ($132,690), lowest in Alabama ($61,160).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a dental hygienist averages $26,402. Dental hygienist salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $74,880 | $98,100 | $126,050 | about 223,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $132,690 | about 790 |
| Washington | $131,160 | about 6,000 |
| California | $124,930 | about 25,000 |
| Oregon | $122,080 | about 4,000 |
| Nevada | $115,290 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1292.00
- www.adha.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/BrochureEnglish_Feb25-B.pdf
- www.adha.org/advocacy/scope-of-practice
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY